Beating the Bushes is counting down to the start of the 2010 baseball season, which kicks off April 4 at Fenway Park when the Yankees take on the Red Sox.

In the second part of my season preview, I’m reviewing Baseball America’s Top 30 Mets and Yankees prospects for the upcoming 2010 season.

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A local product, the Yankees gave Dellin Betances an eighth round record $1 million bonus in 2006, and it looked like that was beginning to pay off when he went 9-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 22 starts with Low-A Charleston in 2008, striking out 135 and walking 59 in 115 innings.

Unfortunately, the 6-foot-8 right-hander took a huge step back last season. In 11 starts with High-A Tampa, the 21-year-old went 2-5 with a 5.48 ERA, before eventually being shut down before the end of the season due to Tommy John surgery. That surgery will most likely cost Betances all of the 2010 season.

The Yankees will have a big decision to make about Betances after this season, because they will either have to put him on their 40-man roster or leave him exposed in the Rule V Draft. My guess is that he won’t be placed on the 40-man roster, but because of the Tommy John surgery, no one will take a chance on him. The Yankees will hope that he is able at least make a few appearances by the end of the season.